The Murky Waters of Reward Money

Editorial

A storm is brewing within the Mauritius Police Force, one that threatens to erode public trust and undermine the very institutions charged with upholding law and order. Recent parliamentary questions and unfolding investigations by the Financial Crimes Commission (FCC) have cast a glaring spotlight on the opaque system of “reward money” disbursed to police officers and, more significantly, to informers involved in the fight against dangerous drugs. What began as a tool to incentivize crucial intelligence gathering has seemingly devolved into a mechanism riddled with alleged misappropriation, lack of accountability, and potentially, outright corruption. The quantum of money involved, its disbursement patterns, and the shocking arrests of high-ranking officers paint a grim picture that demands immediate and comprehensive reform.

The concept of reward money itself isn’t inherently flawed. As the Prime Minister’s reply to the parliamentary questions, last Tuesday, indicates, such funds are ostensibly paid to police officers based on factors like the nature of the case, the number of arrests, the quantity and value of drugs seized, the risk involved, and the reliability of informers. It’s designed to be a potent weapon in the relentless war on drugs, fostering a network of informants vital for intelligence-led operations.

However, the recent revelations suggest a dramatic deviation from this intended purpose. The provided data for reward money disbursed over the past five financial years is alarming. While police officers consistently received modest amounts (Rs 225,540 to Rs 229,740) between 2020/2021 and 2022/2023, these payments abruptly ceased in 2023/2024 and 2024/2025. In stark contrast, the amounts disbursed to informers exploded exponentially during the same period. From a relatively contained Rs 1.1 million in 2020/2021, the figure surged to a staggering Rs 84.6 million in 2023/2024, followed by Rs 56 million in 2024/2025.

Even more troubling are the monthly disbursements for July to December 2024. A colossal Rs 50.1 million was paid to informers in just September and October 2024, a couple of weeks before a general election. The unspoken implication is clear: was this surge a genuine operational necessity, or was it politically motivated, a cynical attempt to influence outcomes using public funds under the guise of law enforcement? This sudden, massive increase, particularly before a major election, raises serious questions about the disbursement process’s integrity and demands a thorough, impartial investigation.

Red Flags and Institutional Failures

The Prime Minister’s reply highlights several disturbing elements. Firstly, the fact that the amount disbursed frequently exceeds the budgeted allocation for reward money is a monumental red flag. This points to a severe lack of financial oversight, suggesting either a deliberate disregard for budgetary constraints or a deeply flawed approval process. It begs the question of what role the Financial Operations and Internal Control Unit of the Police Force played – or failed to play – in managing these funds.

Secondly, the history of the reward money system itself is chequered. In 2020, Police Commissioner Khemraj Servansing attempted to rationalize police reward procedures via an amendment to Police Standing Order 122. The following year, Commissioner Anil Kumar Dip further amended this order to allow informer payments even before case disposal by court, or simply upon a Forensic Science Laboratory report confirming dangerous drugs. Mr Dip’s amendment drastically loosened the controls. Was this a genuine attempt to streamline operations, or did it inadvertently open the floodgates to fraudulent claims? The phenomenal increase in disbursements to informers starting in 2022, coinciding with a near-zero payment to police officers, strongly suggests the latter.

The Unfolding Scandal: Arrests and Allegations

The recent arrests of high-ranking police officers underscore the severity of the alleged misappropriation. Reputedly close to former Commissioner Anil Kumar Dip, these officers are suspected of being central to a vast fraudulent scheme involving over Rs 22 million from the Reward Money Fund.

The “money trail” being uncovered by the FCC is damning. Furthermore, the questioning of an Inspector related to a high ranking officer, and the intriguing detail that no owners of seized narcotics were ever arrested in his operations, raises the chilling possibility of “planting” or “collecting drugs” for fraudulent reward claims. If proven, this would represent a profound betrayal of public trust.

The earlier arrest of an Assistant Commissioner of Police found with Rs 4.5 million in a joint account — suspected to come from the Reward Money Fund — despite not being assigned to the Anti-Drug and Smuggling Unit (ADSU) at the time, reinforces the deep-seated nature of this alleged corruption.

A System in Disarray: The ADSU’s Demoralization

Amidst this scandal, press reports highlight another critical dimension: the apparent “demoralization of the ADSU”. For over a year, the ADSU, the very unit tasked with major drug seizures, has reportedly received neither “source fund” nor “reward money.” This is despite a monthly budget of Rs 500,000 allocated by the Prime Minister’s Office for operational expenses.

This cessation of funds has reportedly crippled the ADSU’s intelligence-gathering and operational capabilities, leading to widespread frustration and demotivation. The suspicion is that the former Commissioner allegedly diverted these crucial funds to a few ‘privileged’ units he favoured. This situation is particularly ironic given that former CP Anil Kumar Dip, upon his appointment in 2021, publicly stated he had reinstated reward money to “encourage ADSU police officers to obtain positive results,” noting its suspension under a previous CP had led to a significant decrease in drug seizures. If the ADSU is now being deprived of these very funds, it directly undermines the force’s effectiveness in its core mission and exposes a profound internal mismanagement.

The Path Forward: Transparency, Accountability, and Rebuilding Trust

The current situation is untenable. The Financial Crimes Commission (FCC) inquiry into the entire reward money issue is not just warranted; it is an absolute necessity. The government’s decision to amend the FCC Act to allow joint enquiries appears to be a positive step, signalling a commitment to comprehensive investigation. The FCC’s mandate to review practices and procedures to establish a transparent and accountable system is crucial.

However, the FCC’s work alone, while vital, won’t be enough. Rebuilding public trust demands more than just punitive measures; it requires full transparency through clear, detailed, and regular disclosures of all reward money disbursements, including payment criteria and robust verification for informers. Additionally, there must be strict accountability, ensuring any officer complicit in misappropriation or corrupt practices faces the full force of the law, regardless of rank, alongside clear lines of responsibility for financial oversight.

Procedural reform is crucial, necessitating a thorough overhaul of Police Standing Order 122 and related procedures to incorporate external audits, independent oversight, and measurable performance indicators that reflect genuine drug interdiction, not just purported information. Furthermore, re-empowering core units means transparently and equitably distributing anti-drug operation funds, like “source fund” and “reward money,” to directly involved units such as the ADSU, ensuring they are adequately resourced and motivated.

Finally, ethical leadership within the Mauritius Police Force is paramount, requiring an unwavering commitment to ethical conduct and zero tolerance for corruption, fostering a culture of integrity from the top down.

The current scandal threatens to tarnish the reputation of the entire Mauritius Police Force and undermine public confidence in its ability to protect citizens. This is a moment for decisive action, and a commitment to genuine reform. Only through transparency, stringent accountability, and a renewed focus on integrity can the police force regain the trust it so desperately needs to effectively combat crime and serve the Mauritian people.

Mauritius Times ePaper Friday 18 July 2025